At Home in the Bush: Dani Theron on the Beauty and Urgency of Conservation

19 Aug 2025
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Danielle “Dani” Theron is Wildlife ACT’s Big Cat Programme & Node Manager: Southern Drakensberg. She is based mainly in Howick but works all over KwaZulu-Natal including Manyoni Private Game Reserve and Babanango Game Reserve. She also coordinates our Conservation Safari

The bush is where I feel most myself. Working in this environment is so unpredictable. I love that my work keeps me on my toes.

My favourite animals are African Wild Dogs and Leopards. 

Conserving endangered species is important because these species form part of a greater ecosystem that creates equilibrium for natural processes. I believe we are intrinsically linked to the ecosystem and won’t survive without a healthy environment. 

Early mornings in the bush are the best: driving through the mist, listening to the morning chorus from birds and animals, and feeling like you’re the only person awake.

My favourite time of year is the African Wild Dog denning season, when you sit at a den for a month or two waiting to get that first sighting of the pups, and then there’s that thrilling first visual when you try to get a count of all these tiny little pups while they run around chaotically. It makes all the early mornings worth it.

I believe that every positive action counts, no matter how small. It’s our duty to protect our natural resources and endangered species for future generations.

Join one of our South African volunteer programs to experience the magic of the wild and play a part in protecting it.

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